Third patient alleges witchcraft in Delnor suit

ST. CHARLES — A third malpractice lawsuit has been filed against Delnor-Community Hospital charging that a former psychologist used witchcraft under the guise of therapy.

In the lawsuit, Kathleen Carlson of St. Charles alleges that the hospital failed to adequately supervise psychologist Letitia Libman and was otherwise negligent.

The lawsuit states that Libman administered witchcraft to Carlson by instructing her to use the witch’s pentagram, to conduct a seance, told her how to write and perform her own witch’s spells and asked for a sample of Carlson’s ex-husband’s DNA so she could perform a spell on him.

Carlson was under Libman’s care at the St. Charles branch of Delnor’s medical health center from September 2002 to January 2005. Carlson’s suit states that she suffered severe depression, mental injuries and loss of family relations. She seeks more than $50,000 in damages.

Carlson alleges that during her therapy, Libman also counseled her to stop taking medications, bragged about her sexual prowess, told her that Libman had special powers and discussed Carlson’s mental health problems with other patients.

Delnor spokesman Brian Griffin said the hospital investigated the first patient complaint against Libman in January and that as of January, she no longer was employed by the hospital.

Griffin said the hospital also contacted the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation regarding Libman.

He said he could not be more specific because of the pending litigation.

“We take patient complaints of this nature very seriously. Our policy is to immediately investigate such complaints and take disciplinary action when warranted,” Griffin said.

Libman’s position since has been taken over by a licensed psychologist with more than 10 years experience, Delnor CEO Craig Livermore said in a statement.

In the other two complaints filed last month, Shelley Standau and Deanna Whetstine also allege the hospital failed to supervise Libman and was otherwise negligent. They also charge that Libman used witchcraft as therapy and caused them severe depression and mental injuries. Standau, formerly of Woodstock, now lives in North Carolina and seeks $1 million in damages. The amount Whetstine is seeking was not stated.